Module 2, Lesson 2B: Exploration of Luxembourg

Introduction to Lesson 2B: Luxembourg Exploration

• This part of Lesson 2 continues the exploration of Luxembourg, building on previous learning about its history and role as the seat of justice for the European Union.

• Key focus areas include:

  • The unique multilingual and multicultural character of Luxembourg's population.

  • Its unexpected historical link to Count Dracula.

  • Meeting French people from Strasbourg to learn about their interests, hobbies, and passions.

  • An opportunity for students to express their own interests and passions.

• The lesson concludes with a short quiz over lessons one and two, testing assimilation of cultural information about Strasbourg and Luxembourg and relevant French expressions.

Cultural Connections (Les frontaliers: Cross-Border Workers)

• Due to Luxembourg's small size and high property costs, many workers cannot afford to live within the country.

• A significant portion of Luxembourg's workforce consists of "frontaliers" (cross-border workers) who live in bordering countries.

• These workers benefit from lower housing costs in neighboring countries while earning higher wages in Luxembourg.

• Luxembourg shares borders with Germany, France, and Belgium, allowing cross-border workers to reside in any of these countries and commute daily.

• Statistics: According to Statec (Luxembourg's government statistics service), $44.9\%$ of the Luxembourg workforce are cross-border workers, with a majority originating from France.

• Entry and Work Regulations:

  • EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) citizens can enter and leave Luxembourg without restriction.

  • Frontier workers are not obligated to register in Luxembourg.

  • They must possess a valid work permit from their country of residence.

  • A valid employment contract is required, clearly stating the need to work in Luxembourg for a specified number of days per month.

The Arts of Luxembourg (Les Arts du Luxembourg)

• Despite potentially being overshadowed by its neighbours, Luxembourg possesses rich artistic traditions.

• This includes world-class history and art museums, acclaimed works by celebrated artists, and notable achievements in film production.

• Notable Museums (mostly in the capital, Luxembourg City):

  • National Museum of History and Art (NMHA).

  • Luxembourg City History Museum.

  • Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art (Mudam).

• Museums Outside the Capital:

  • The National Museum of Military History (NMMH) in Diekirch is particularly recognized for its exhibits on World War II's Battle of the Bulge.

• Internationally Recognized Artists:

  • Painters: Kirk, Joseph Kutter, and Michel Majerus.

  • Artist and Photographer: Edward Steichen, whose "The Family of Man" exhibition is listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Steichen's complete body of work is permanently housed in the city of Clervaux.

  • Filmmakers: Luxembourg natives Laura Witz and Alexander Espigares are known for their film "Mr Hublot," based on characters by Stefan Halu. The film won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the $86^{th}$ Academy Awards on $2/3/2014$.

Linguistic Connections (Mots et messages & Les Chiffres de 21 à 69)

• New Vocabulary Introduction: Lesson 2B introduces new vocabulary through an interactive video presentation.

• Counting in French: Learn to count from $21$ to $69$.

• Expressing Feelings: Learn to use the verb "avoir" to express feelings such as thirst and hunger in French.

• Further vocabulary practice will be provided in Lesson 3A.

Auditory Comprehension: "Break Hunter Strasbourg"

• Activity: Watch and listen to people from Strasbourg discuss their interests and hobbies.

• **Recommended Process:

  1. First viewing:** Watch without sound to observe gestures and facial expressions and familiarize yourself with the questions asked.

  2. Second viewing:** Watch with sound and French captions, identifying recognizable words and phrases to reconstruct the conversation.

  3. Third viewing:** Watch with sound but no captions to assess understanding and verify gathered information.

• Tip: The video speed can be adjusted.

• Prior to watching, students should review application activities and complete preparation activity 'a'.

Linguistic Identities (La langue du Luxembourg)

• French Language: The variety of French spoken in Luxembourg is standard French.

• National Language: Luxembourgish (Lëtzebuergesch), a variant of German of West German origin, is the national language.

• Administrative Languages: Luxembourgish is one of the three administrative languages, alongside German and French.

• Prevalence:

  • Approximately $50.9\%$ of Luxembourg's population can speak Luxembourgish.

  • Around $600,000$ people speak it worldwide.

• Geographical Spread Beyond Luxembourg:

  • The Arliland region of Belgium (part of Luxembourg province).

  • Small parts of Lorraine, France (a region historically contested between Germany and France).

  • By descendants of Luxembourg immigrants in the United States and Canada.

• Linguistic Family: Luxembourgish is part of the West Central German language, Moselle Franconian, a sub-dialect of the Central Franconian language area. This dialect is significant in the neighboring French department of Moselle, particularly in the Boule Moselle District.

• Fun Fact & Historical Connection:

  • The Transylvanian Saxon dialect in Romania's Transylvania region is derived from the Moselle Franconian dialect.

  • This linguistic influence resulted from emigration between $1100$ and $1300$, when numerous Transylvanian Saxons moved to Transylvania from Moselle Franconian-speaking areas.

  • Intriguing Implication: Given this linguistic connection, it's humorously implied that Count Dracula, associated with Transylvania, might have spoken a dialect derived from Luxembourgish.

French "s" Pronunciation Rules (La lettre "s" en français)

• Review of Previously Learned Rules:

  • A written "s" is silent at the end of plural articles (e.g., des, les) and nouns.

  • A written "s" is silent at the end of many conjugated verbs (e.g., vous parlez).

  • Liaison: When a word ending in a written "s" precedes a word beginning with a vowel, the "s" is pronounced as $[z]$ (e.g., les étudiantes, les avocats).

• Additional Pronunciation Tips for Written "s":

  • Single "s" at the beginning of a word: Pronounced as $[s]$ (e.g., salut, six, sociable).

  • Single "s" before one or more pronounced consonants: Pronounced as $[s]$ (e.g., esprit, australien).

  • Single "s" between two vowels: Pronounced as $[z]$ (e.g., amusement).

  • Single "s" at the end of words followed by a silent written "e": Pronounced as $[z]$ (e.g., lâche, anglaise, québécoise).

  • Double "ss" (ss): Always pronounced as $[s]$ (e.g., professeur, laisse, russe).

Cultural Identity: From an Immigration Country to a Land of Opportunity

• Current Demographics: Luxembourg has a population of $645,000$ people, characterized by incredible diversity.

• Diversity Statistics: Nearly $50\%$ of the population does not hold Luxembourgish nationality, and this figure excludes the $197,000$ cross-border commuters working in Luxembourg.

• Cosmopolitan Character: This rich mix of languages and cultures from various communities significantly enhances life in Luxembourg, contributing to its cosmopolitan identity.

• Historical Waves of Immigration and Emigration:

  • Past Emigration: For a long time, Luxembourgers left their homes in waves, with entire families and even villages moving to countries like Romania, the United States, and Brazil, seeking a better life.

  • $19^{th}$ Century Immigration: Germans settled in Luxembourg to work in the country's burgeoning steel mills.

  • $20^{th}$ Century Immigration: Italians followed, continuing to contribute to the industrial sector.

  • $\sim1960s$ Immigration: Thousands of Portuguese fled dictatorship and poverty in their home country and immigrated to Luxembourg.

  • Late $20^{th}$ Century Economic Boom: The growth of the service sector, particularly finance, led to a new economic boom.

  • Attraction of Skilled Workers: This boom attracted large numbers of nationals from France, Belgium, Germany, the British Isles, and Scandinavian countries, who settled in the Grand Duchy for work.

  • Integration: Over time, these diverse communities have integrated into Luxembourg's population, often maintaining some of their original customs and languages.